Mic Archive
Shure Beta 27
Photo: Shure, from its user guide (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Shure

Shure Beta 27

Side-address supercardioid condenser (externally biased, 1-inch diaphragm), transformerless, with a -15 dB pad and a three-position low-frequency filter; for instruments and stage

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Supercardioid
Sensitivity
−37 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
8.5 dB(A)
Max SPL
134 dB SPL
Impedance
160 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide (Recording Hacks copy), p. 15. "61 cm (2 ft.) from sound source"; relative dB. Room and smoothing not stated.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the user guide (Recording Hacks copy), p. 15. Polar pattern; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the user guide
Capsule1-inch, externally biased, ultra-thin 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered, low-mass Mylar diaphragmp. 3
Sensitivity−37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV/Pa), at 1 kHz, open circuit voltage, typical. "-37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV)".p. 6
Self-noise8.5 dB(A), typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted. "8.5 dB SPL-A".p. 7
Max SPL134 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% THD, 1000 ohm load, pad off; also 140 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, pad off; also 148 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, pad on; also 154 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, pad on. Pages 6-7. THD "of microphone preamplifier when applied input signal is equivalent to cartridge output at specified SPL".p. 6
Signal-to-noise ratio86 dB, ref. 94 dB SPL at 1 kHz; also 85.5 dB, 2015 spec sheetp. 7
Dynamic range126 dB, at 1 kHz, 1000 ohm load; also 132 dB, 2500 ohm load; also 125.5 dB, 2015 spec sheet, 1000 ohm load (131.5 dB into 2500 ohm)
Output impedance160 ohm, output impedancep. 6
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended minimum. "Shure recommends a minimum input load impedance of 1000 Ω".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz
Poweringphantom 11-52 V DC (IEC-61938); best at 48 V. "11 to 52 V DC phantom power, 6 mA"; all specifications measured at 48 V (p. 8).p. 7
Current draw6 mA; also 5.6 mA, 2015 spec sheet, "48 Vdc phantom"
Low cutflat, -6 dB/oct below 115 Hz, -18 dB/oct below 80 Hz. "Low frequency cutoff. Provides an 18dB-per-octave cutoff at 80Hz"; "Low frequency rolloff. Provides a 6dB-per-octave rolloff filter at 115Hz". Graphed in the current guide (p. 8).p. 5
Pad−15 dB. Attenuation switch 0 / -15 dB.
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male, balanced".p. 7
Weight428 g, net. "428 g (15 oz.)"; 537 g with the stand mount (2010 guide, p. 4).
Supplied accessoriesA32M swivel stand adapter; A27ZB padded zippered carrying bag. Furnished accessories.p. 9
PreamplifierClass A, discrete, transformerless; gold-plated internal and external connectorsp. 3
Subsonic filterEliminates rumble from mechanical vibration below 17 Hz
Output clipping level2.0 dBV into 1000 ohm, 8.5 dBV into 2500 ohm (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1% THD)p. 7
Common mode rejection>50 dB (10 Hz to 10 kHz)
GrilleThree separate mesh layers acting as an integral pop filterp. 6
Shock mountInternal shock mount reduces handling and stand noisep. 3
PolarityPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3p. 7
Optional accessoriesA32WS foam windscreen; PS-6 Popper Stopper pop filter; A27SM ShureLock rubber isolated shock mountp. 9
Placement (Shure)Front marked by the Shure logo; greatest rejection about 120° off axis, where monitors are best placedp. 4
From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy)
Dimensions156.2 × 55.88 mm. Dimension drawing: height 156.2 mm (6.15 in.) without the connector stub, width 55.88 mm (2.20 in.).p. 15

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on shure.comRecording Hacks

Other mics